New Zealand Family Self Drive Holiday Itinerary

Auckland welcomes you to the ‘City of Sails’, where harbours, islands, and volcanic landscapes meet a vibrant urban lifestyle. Upon arrival, you are transferred to your accommodation before taking in panoramic views from the Sky Tower, the city’s most iconic landmark.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Private airport transfer
• Explore at your leisure
• Sky Tower viewing platform entry
• 2 nights in Auckland

Suggested Accommodation: 

Spend a day discovering Auckland’s creativity and sporting heritage with entry to Wētā Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Guided Experience, offering an immersive journey through world-class filmmaking and New Zealand’s iconic rugby culture.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Wētā Workshop Unleashed experience
• All Blacks guided experience

Make it yours
Interested in New Zealand’s unique wildlife? Swap your activities for a day at the zoo or aquarium and get up close to some of the country’s most fascinating marine and native animals.

Collect your rental vehicle and journey to the Coromandel Peninsula, where you'll stay in the charming seaside village of Hahei. Relax on golden beaches, explore the iconic Cathedral Cove by boat, or discover the coastline and marine reserve by kayak or snorkel.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Rental vehicle collection
• Scenic Coromandel drive 
• Coastal village atmosphere 
• 2 nights in Hahei

Approximate Distance: 175 kms | 109 miles  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 mins

Ready to make the journey yours? Enquire online or speak with a Travel Designer to personalise your perfect New Zealand escape.

​Suggested Accommodation:

Spend a relaxed day exploring the natural beauty of the Coromandel, including the world-famous Hot Water Beach, where you can dig your own natural spa pool in the warm geothermal sands.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Explore at your leisure
• Hot Water Beach
• Coastal walking tracks

Make it yours
Add a guided boat tour through the marine reserve’s coastal islands, reefs, and sea caves, including the world-famous Cathedral Cove.

Journey south to Rotorua, the geothermal heart of New Zealand and a hub of Māori culture, natural wonders, and family-friendly attractions.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Explore at your leisure
• Geothermal landscapes
• 3 nights in Rotorua

Make it yours
Enhance your cultural immersion and add-on a night of traditional Māori hāngī feast, accompanied by storytelling that shares Māori culture and traditions.

Approximate Distance: 215 kms | 133 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

​Suggested Accommodation: 

Experience Rotorua’s forests and wildlife with the Redwoods Treewalk, followed by a visit to The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, learning about New Zealand’s iconic kiwi conservation efforts.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Redwoods Daytime Treewalk 
• National Kiwi Hatchery visit 

Explore Rotorua’s geothermal wonders at Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, home to vibrant hot springs and the famous Champagne Pool, before continuing to the Agrodome for an authentic farm experience featuring a hands-on introduction to New Zealand farming life.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Wai-O-Tapu geothermal experience
• Lady Knox Geyser 
• Agrodome Farm show and tour experience

Return your rental vehicle and fly to Christchurch, the Garden City, where heritage charm meets modern design. Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle, then explore the city aboard a historic tram.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Domestic flight to Christchurch
• Rental vehicle collection
• Heritage city tram tour 
• 2 nights in Christchurch

Suggested Accommodation: 

Discover Christchurch’s coastal charm with a day trip to Lyttelton and a ferry ride to Quail Island, or enjoy a fun-filled day at the iconic Margaret Mahy Playground, a family favourite.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Optional Lyttelton harbour village stopover
• Optional Ferry ride to Quail Island
• Margaret Mahy Playground 

Approximate Distance: 15 kms | 9 miles Total Driving Time: 30 mins (each way)

Travel through Canterbury Plains and Lake Tekapo to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest peak and UNESCO World Heritage landscapes.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Church of the Good Shepherd & Lake Tekapo
• Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre admission
• Galactic Journey planetarium show
• 1 night in Mount Cook

Approximate Distance: 330 kms | 205 miles  Total Driving Time: 4 hours 30 mins

​Suggested Accommodation: 

Journey through spectacular alpine landscapes, visiting Wanaka and Puzzling World before arriving in Queenstown.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Scenic Lindis Pass 
• Wānaka Lake stopover
• Puzzling World experience
• 3 nights in Queenstown

Approximate Distance: 275 kms | 171 miles  Total Driving Time: 3 hours 45 mins

​Suggested Accommodation:

Enjoy a morning in Queenstown aboard the classic TSS Earnslaw steamship and cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where kids can pet and feed lambs, watch sheepdogs round up a flock, and see a sheep shearing demonstration.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Morning or afternoon tea
• TSS Earnslaw vintage steamboat cruise 
• Walter Peak farm visit

Ride a gondola 450 metres above the town for panoramic views of Queenstown, then grab your luge and race down two 800-metre tracks on a family-friendly alpine ride through forested curves, tunnels, and bends.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Scenic view of Bobs Peak
• Skyline Gondola & 5 luge rides
• Explore at your leisure

Make it yours
Fuel your fun with a premium lunch add-on, offering panoramic views while you eat.

Your New Zealand family adventure concludes today as you return your vehicle at Queenstown Airport and board your onward flight, leaving behind a journey filled with breathtaking scenery, unique experiences, and cherished family memories that will last long after you return home.

Inclusions at a glance:

• Rental vehicle return

Inspired by what you’ve seen? Let’s create a journey to Aotearoa, New Zealand that’s uniquely yours.

Speak with a Travel Designer to start planning your personalised escape.